Swarm connector



Jan. 7, 1941. c. WILLIAMS 2,227,525

SWARM CONNECTOR Filed May 15, 1940 INVENTOR.

Patented Jan. 7, 1941 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 3 Claims.

This invention is a swarm connector for joining in harmonious manner two separate swarms of bees into one hive, or for re-queening a hive of bees where its original queen has died.

As is Well known amongst apiarists, if two swarms of bees are brought together suddenly they will sting one another to death, and it is the prime object of this invention to provide means for gradually acquainting the bees of two separate hives with one another and thus avoid this danger and loss.

Another object is to provide a framed screen of wire having an opening cut through the screen, and a paper covering for the opening with means 15 for holding same in place, the paper preferably being pierced with a plurality of apertures,

whereby with such screen placed between two hives of bees, the bees at either side may gnaw gradually through the intervening apertured pa- 20 per and in this process become gradually acquainted with one another, thus losing their original mutual hostility.

The accompanying drawing is a part of this specification, and with the above stated objects in view, attention is now directed to the drawing, wherein:

Figure 1 is a top plan view of the device constituting the subject matter of this invention.

Figure 2 is a section on the line 22 of Fig- 30 ure 1.

Figure 3 is a section on the line 3-3 of Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a perspective view of one of the side strips for the screen opening.

Figure 5 is a bottom plan view of a modified form of connector, 2. sheet of paper being partially inserted therein.

Figure 6 is a perspective view of one of the side strips for the screen opening for the modified form of connector.

This invention is for use in connection with any conventional form of bee hive (not shown.) These hives are usually rectangular and have removable tops or covers, which when removed exposes the bees and honey within the hives.

My invention comprises a frame 5 adapted to fit atop a bee hive (not shown) after the cover thereof has been removed. This frame 5 is covered by screen wire 6 in which is a window or opening I suitably reinforced around its margins by tin or wooden strips 8-8a which may be secured in place by tacks or rivets 9, or other usual manner. Two of these opposite and parallel strips, as 8, are formed with slide-ways III for slidably engaging a small door or ate H which is made of paper or other material that may be readily gnawed through by the bees. If desired 5 and in order to facilitate the gnawing process, the slide gate ll may be partially pierced with a number of apertures l2, these apertures not being large enough for bees to crawl directly through without gnawing. The door II is of 10 course dimensioned to nicely slide Within the slide-ways III.

In use, as where it is desired to join two swarms of bees into one hive, if the bees were both already in hives, then the covers would be removed and the frame 5 with gate ll closed, placed atop one of the hives and the other hive inverted thereover. The bees would then gnaw through gradually from either side, thus gradually becoming acquainted and overcoming their native hostility.

If one swarm were a new swarm, it would be placed. in a box and the latter then inverted over the hive supporting the connector.

This device can be used in similar manner for the purpose of introducing a new queen into a hive.

While I have here shown and described certain structural features of the invention, it is understood I may vary same in minor details, not departing from the essence of the invention as defined in the claims.

- I claim:

1. A partition for separating two swarms of bees, the partition having an opening therethrough, and a covering for said opening which the bees may gnaw through.

2. In a device of the kind described, a frame and screen dimensioned and adapted to be positioned between two bee hives for separating the respective swarms therein, there being an openmg formed through the screen, and a closure for the opening susceptible to destruction by the bees so that they may gnaw through and gradually intermingle.

3. In a device of the kind described, a frame, a screen in the frame the latter having an opening therethrough, and a removable closure for the opening, the closure being subject to destruction through the action of the bees, whereby the bees may gradually intermingle.

CHARLES WILLIAMS. 

